Innovation Agency and JKUAT Join Forces to Strengthen Kenya’s Innovation Ecosystem - Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

*KeNIA CEO Dr. Tonny Omwansa (left) makes remarks during meeting with Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Ngumi (right)*

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) have resolved to synergise their institutional assets and capacities to strengthen Kenya’s innovation ecosystem and commercialization of intellectual property (IP) assets.

While KeNIA was established to develop and manage the country’s innovation systems, JKUAT on the other hand, has championed production of useful knowledge and innovations from its training and research programmes – making it necessary for the two public institutions to read from the same script.

Speaking at JKUAT on Monday April 14, 2025, the Chief Executive Officer of KeNIA, Dr. Tonny Omwansa noted that JKUAT remains a key player in Kenya’s innovation landscape and that his agency was keen to support and scale the efforts of JKUAT as a model university on IP upscaling and commercialization.

Dr. Omwansa noted that the success of agency heavily relies on the success of the universities and research organizations in Kenya. As a result, KeNIA has rolled out a number of initiatives, aimed at helping universities become centres of excellence in the innovation enterprise.

He added that his agency was keen to partner with universities to transform the culture, incentives, processes and partnerships that could turbocharge Kenya’s innovation engine towards greater national benefit and pride.

*Head of Directorate of Intellectual Property Management and University-Industry Liaison at JKUAT Eng. B. K. Kariuki makes a presentation during the meeting*

While receiving the official and his team to JKUAT, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi said the university had worked extremely hard to entrench the culture of innovation and creativity among the faculty and students.

She added that JKUAT currently holds 17 of the 51 patents acquired by all public universities and research institutions in Kenya; translating to 31% ownership.

“We have also made the bold decision to reposition as a research and entrepreneurship university; currently running research and innovation activities across 17 thematic areas,” Prof. Ngumi said.

The Vice chancellor said that KeNIA’s partnership would be instrumental in fostering JKUAT’s innovation and commercialization efforts.

“JKUAT is also home to highly trained experts of various aspects of IP value chain. As KeNIA moves to support local universities and other line institutions, we have here, great talent and resources that could be tapped,” Prof. Ngumi said.

During the visit to JKUAT, KeNIA team engaged the university on themed discussion on IP protection, commercialization strategies, and technology transfer mechanisms.